Results 8,721-8,740 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not imply that every aspect of the entire public service system is massively efficient. I did not answer Deputy Kenny's earlier question on the Health Service Executive. However, I chaired the committee on health and I am fairly familiar with the matter he raised. We are a long way from having a unified accounts system that would allow payments and quick information to be provided in...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think so. I am meant to remember everything. When decisions are made in that manner, some things can go wrong. The Civil Service does its best to avoid these situations but sometimes things go wrong. There is no question of people not doing their very best.

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin is correct to say there has been significant reference to this issue recently but the public service benchmarking body is proceeding with a review of pay in public service grades covered by its terms of reference and will report at the end of the year. It is under the Department of Finance but, as I understand from discussions which have taken place in the past year, it...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The benchmarking body is an independent body which, with the benefit of those working with it, is doing a comprehensive analysis by grade of what has happened since the last benchmarking round several years ago. It will decide what increases these grades will get by examining the movements in comparable grades in the private sector over the period. It will also take into account benefits...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The second public benchmarking body was established in January 2006. It is chaired by Mr. Dan O'Keeffe, SC, and he is committed to finishing the work at the end of 2007. I cannot say whether it will be submitted to the Department of Finance at the end of the year or early next year, but that is the projected timescale. I saw the reports over the weekend and the Tánaiste and Minister for...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know what global figures the Department of Finance is using at this stage, but the normal process is for a ballpark public service provision to be inserted, even before it has sight of the figures, to cover whatever phases must be provided for. Next year will be the last time the figures will have to be phased. They were phased over three years the last time, 2002-04, so I presume...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is really a matter for the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, but I believe it is based on the existing level of service under the new system. Subject to correction, I do not imagine that the figures, other than incremental figures for 2008, would be included. Benchmarking pay for the public service would not be associated with the existing level of service and I therefore...

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Benchmarking Awards. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know whether the Department of Finance has included the figures but, on the basis of the new system, last week's book is not like the old Book of Estimates; it is based on the existing level of service. I do not believe there could be a figure. I hope I am not proved wrong in half an hour but I do not believe the figure for a benchmarking report that has not yet been issued could...

Programmes for Government. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, together. The new programme for Government agreed between Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats, and supported by certain Independent Members of Dáil Éireann, has been translated in accordance with the Official Languages Act and is available in both languages on my Department's website. The Department is in the...

Programmes for Government. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In 1997 and 2002, I heard similar arguments within the first few months of the new Government's term of office about the stage of the economic cycle we were at. I was asked whether the Government would be able to implement its entire programme for Government by the end of its term. As Deputy Kenny is aware, the last two programmes for Government were implemented almost in full. While a...

Programmes for Government. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: This year will be no exception and neither will the years ahead. This allows us the headroom to do things that otherwise would not be possible. The key issues are the national development plan, Transport 21, the business expansion schemes, our commitments to agriculture and to social welfare. These are issues which we believe we can honour.

Programmes for Government. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have already implemented our programme for Government commitments on stamp duty and that matter is closed. Deputy Kenny knows what he has stated is not true. For the past decade this economy has been growing by approximately 7.7%. Our debt to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in Europe. We are able to fund our capital programme from our own resources and we have been able to reform the...

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: First, with regard to the murders of Paul Quinn and John Daly, we send our commiserations to their families, who have to live with their grief and we all understand that, for them, this is very difficult. On the horrendous murder of Paul Quinn, with whose family our sympathies lie at this tragic time, there is a Garda investigation under way in close co-operation with the PSNI. The priority...

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate Deputy Kenny's remarks and the constructive manner in which he makes them. I am not suggesting there is any one simple solution. I have attended many meetings and security briefings with the Garda Síochána which has, through Operation Anvil, collected some 750 guns and carried out some 40,000 drug searches. Earlier this year, an extensive Criminal Justice Bill was added to...

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Gilmore raised a number of points. There is no doubt that early intervention in the community with programmes such as the breakfast scheme, the preschools and the additional facilities in disadvantaged schools, such as lower pupil-teacher ratios and after school projects are preventive measures. Most of these schemes did not exist before I became Taoiseach. In Cherry Orchard, an...

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I accept those constructive suggestions and at least two or three of them are being examined, particularly in regard to the court system, the length of sentences and how the cases are dealt with. It is very difficult in gangland crime to get statements. We are all aware of the reasons for the difficulties, because we know the consequences. We can never give up on this issue, but there are...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: During the summer recess we heard of the death of our former colleague, John Wilson, former Tánaiste, distinguished Minister and Member of this House for 20 years. On this occasion, I wish to convey my sincere condolences and those of my Fianna Fáil colleagues to his wife, Ita, his son, John, his daughters, Claire, Siobhan, Lucy and Maria, his grandchildren and his brothers and sisters. I...

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 7, motion re Establishment of Committees of 30th Dáil; No. 8, motion re Pre-budget Estimates for Public Services 2008; and No. a3, CriminalProcedure (Amendment) Bill 2007 — Orderfor Second Stage, Second and SubsequentStages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be...

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that.